Pipe coating machine



May 16, 1933.

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May 1.6, 1933. c. F. MoRArN w PIPE COATING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 '.llllllimm A ITT'ORNEYS.

Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STA-TES CLIFFORD F. HOMIN, OF WEST TULSA, OKLAHOIA.

PHE COATING MACHINE Application led July 13, 1928. Serial No. 292,489.

My invention relates to painting machines and more particularly to a machine of that character for applying coatings of paint or enamel to pipe lines; the principal object of the present invention being to eii'ect an even and thorough distribution of the paint or enamel over the surface of the pipe and to expedite to the progress in applying such coatings.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, wherein:

15 Fig. l is a perspective view of the machine illustrating its use in painting a pipe line.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the elevating mechanism and its supporting frame.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the dis- 20 tributing mechanismand its supporting frame.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a pipe line such as ordinarily employed for conveying crude petroleum or 25 the like between distant points of production and use. The pipe lines are usually laid in trenches such as 2 and are coated with paint or enamel previously to being laid in order to prevent excessive rust or corrosion 30 due to the underground moisture.

The pipe line is supported above the trench by means of suitable supports 3, and my apparatus 4 for applying the paint or enamel is F movably positioned on the pipe between the 3 supports which are shifted along the pipe line as the coating operation proceeds.

The coating apparatus 4 includes a paint containing receptacle 5 substantially rectangular in shape, having an open upper end 6 and comprising side walls 7, bottom plate 8 and end walls 9, the forward end of the receptacle being provided with a sloping bottom portion 10 for cleaning pu-rposes.

w Slots 11 are centrally located in the upper 4 edges of the end walls 9 to receive the pipe and to permit the upper edges of the, receptacle side walls 7 to extend above the bottom side of the pipe and thereby serve as splash guards while the coating is being applied to the pipe.

Attached to the rearward end and the upper edges of the receptacle side walls 7 is a carrier frame 12 comprising beams 13 having upwardlyoffset portions 14 and horizontal portions 15 extending rearwardly from 55 the offsets, a platform 16 being mounted on t-he beam portions 15 for carrying a motor 17 and power transmission mechanism 18'for purposes hereafter described.

Secured to the rearward ends of the beam i portions 15 are brackets 19 carryin a concave roller 20 engagingthe pipe 1 or movably sup orting the rearward end of the apparatus rom the pipe.

Mounted in suita le bearings 21 at the for- *L ward end of the beam portions 15 is a shaft 22 having a concave .drive roller 23 keyed thereon and engagingthe pipe, and a.l worml gear 24 formed integrally with the roller is engaged by a worm 25. 70

The worm 25'is fixed to the forward end of a shaft 26 extending rearwardly into the transmission 18, the transmission being of an ordinary variable speed type, and having connection with the motor 17 through a con-` 75 necting shaft 27.

The shaft 26 is adapted for change to va-` v rious speeds relative to the shaft 27 by a control lever 28 which may be shifted to change the gear ratios between the respective 80 shafts. Rotation of the shaft 26 is imparted to the pipe-supported drive roller 23 through engagement of the worm 25 with the gear 24 and thereby the apparatus is moved along on the pipe line.

Fixed to the shaft 26 at a point substantially midway between the transmission 18 and worm 25 isa bevel gear 29 meshing with a like bevel gear 30, the gear 30 being fixed on a shaft 31 extending outwardly at right 90 angles to the shaft 26.

The shaft 31 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 32 secured on the platform 16, and keyed to the outer end of the shaft is a sprocket 33 adapted for operative connection 95 with an elevator mechanism 34 and distributor mechanism 35 hereafter described.

The elevator mechanism 34 includes an inverted U shaped frame 36 preferably of channel construction and including side legs l legs 37 and 38 extend downwardly across the tached to the leg walls 7 of the receptacle 5, with their lower ends in fiushl alignment with the receptacle bottom 8, the legs bein rigidly secured to the walls 7 by' suitable astening means such as rivets. 1

In order that the frame 36 may in its assemb'led condition with the receptacle vbe applied'to a pipe line, I provide a removable section 40 in the leg 37, the section being secured in assembled position by a clamp plate 41 attached to the leg by bolts 42.

Secured to the legs'37 and 38 at a point adjacent their upper ends are bearings 43 carrying a shaft 44, and keyed to the outer end of the shaft ad'acent-the leg 37 is a sprocket 45. The sproc et 45 is operatively connected with the sprocket 33 of the transmission mechanism by a chain belt 46 and thereby rotation of the sprocket 33 is imparted to the shaft 44.

Keyed to the shaft 44 and spaced slightly inwardly from the leg 38 is a sprocket 47 carrying a chain belt-48 which is fitted with fluid elevating buckets 49.

In order that the chain belt 48 may extend angularly from the sprocket 47 to produce amoreelfective dumping action for the buckets 49, an idler sprocket 50 is mounted in the receptacle, on a shaft 51 supported in bearings 52 and 53 secured respectivel to .the bottom and one of the side walls 7 o the receptacle at a point rearwardly of the frame 36.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 44 on the outer side of the leg 38 is a sprocket 54 having clutch jaws 55 engageable by a jaw clutch `56 slidabl keyed to the outer portion of the shaft. e clutch 56 is connected with a shifting lever 57 pivoted on a bracket 58 at- 38 so that the clutch may be readily engage with the sprocket for setting in operation the distributing mecha.- nism 35 resentl described.

Y The distributing mechanism 35 includes a su port frame 59 spaced forwardly from .the rame 36 and comprising side legs 60 and 61 connected at their upper ends by a cross rail 62, the lower portions of the legs being extended across the receptacle walls 7 and rigidly secured to the walls by rivets or like `fastening means.

The leg of the frame 59 is provided with a removable section 63 so that the frame in its assembled condition with the receptacle may be opened to permit its application to a ipe line, or to permit its removal from the pipe line. The leg section 63 is normally secured to the adjoining ends of the leg 60 by a clamp plate 64 attached to the section and to the leg by bolts 65.

Supported from the leg 60 by a bracket 66 is an angularly disposed chute 67 having its rearward end elevated and spaced slightly below the horizontal center of the sprocket 47, and spaced outwardly from the sprocket sufficiently to provide clearance for the passage of the fluid elevating buckets 49 on the chai-n belt 48.

lThe lower or forward end of the chute terminates in an arcuate outwardly flared mouth 68 positioned centrally between the legs 60 and 61 so that the coating fluid {iowing therefrom. vwill be equally divided on opposite sides of the vertical center line of the pipe.

Fixed to the legs 60 and 61 at a substantially central position thereon are bearings 69 and 70 carrying a shaft 71, the shaft being provided with cranks 72 and 73. Mounted on the cranks are bearing collars 74 and 75 -having radial bosses 76 and hooks 77 fixed in the bosses for the attachment of coil springs 78.

Attached to the coil springs 7 8 are binders 79 and a flexible strip 80, preferably of fabric is secured in the binders at its ends, and is of sufficient length to extend around the bottom keyed on the portion of the shaft extending outwardly from the bearing, and operatively `connected with the sprocket 54 of the elevator4 shaft 44 by a chain belt 83.

Mounted at the upper ends of the legs 60 and 61 are adjustable arms v84 extending rearwardly and downwardly and havin inset portions at their lower ends rotatab y supporting a concave roller 86 for engagement with the pipe to stabilize the apparatus in its tilting action on the larger drive roller 23.

The arms 84 are mounted on pivot bolts 87 extended through the posts and through spacer blocks 88 fitted in the leg channels for s acing the arms outwardly from the leg anges. Heads 89 at the upper ends of the arms-84 are provided with arcuate slots 90, and brackets 91 fixed to the cross rail 62` are fitted with clamping bolts 92 whereby the of the pipe and to have free oscillating move- 90 acs' arms are secured for holding the roller 86 in i In removlng or applying the apparatus to a pipe line, the bolts 92 are released and the arms 84 are swung upwardly on the pivot bolts 87, thereby releasing the roller 86 from its engagement with thevpipe line.

In order to further stabilize the apparatus against sideward swinging movement on the pipe line, I prefer to provide a ground wheel 93 rotatable on the outer offset portion 94 of a shaft 95, the shaft being adjustably mounted in a bearing bracket 96 fixed to the frame 36.

A lever 97 fixed on the shaft 95 adjacent the frame 36 is adapted for` adjustment and locking engagement with a head 98 secured to the frame, and thereby the shaft may be adfigo justed for properly tilting and balancing the appara-tus for its travel over a pipe line.

In mounting the apparatus on a pipe line preparatory for a coating operation, the procedure is as follows The chain belt 46 connecting the s rockets 33 and 45 is removed and the carrier rame 12 is disconnected from the receptacle 5 by removing the bolts whereby the beams 13 of the carrier are attached to the receptacle Walls 7.

The short sections and 63 are removed from their respective frames 36 and 59 so as to provide an opening to receive the elevated pipe line, and the roller 86 is elevated by swinging the arms 84 upwardlv. The rece Q- tacle portion of the apparatus is thus con 1- tioned to be shifted sidewardly into assembled position on a pipe line by means of a portable hoisting apparatus.

After positioning the receptacle under the pipe line the leg sections are placed in assembled position and the arms 84 are adjusted so that the roller 86 rests on the pipe line.

The carrier frame 12 is then reassembled on the receptacle and the chain belt 46 is placed on the sprockets and for operatively connecting the transmission mechanism with the elevator mechanism34. y

After the carrier frame has been reassembled with the receptacle, the arms 84 carrying the roller 86 are adjusted so that the Weight of the apparatus is pivotally centered on the drive` roller 23.

With the apparatus assembled on a pipe line its operation is as follows The receptacle 5 is filled with a coating fluid (preferably heated enamel) to be applied to the pipe line.

The motor 17 is setin operation, and the transmission lever 28 is shifted for transmitting rotation to the shaft 26 at a desired speed. Rotation of the shaft 26 causes rotation of the drive roller 23 which in turn causes the apparatus to be moved along on the pipe line in the direction of the motor.

Rotation is imported to the drive sprocket 33 on the shaft 31 by the bevel gear 30 on the opposite end of the shaft engaging with the sprocket 29 on the shaft 26.

The chain belt connection between the sprockets 33 and 45 causes rotation to be imparted to the shaft 44 for operating the eleva'- tor belt 48 and causing the heated enamel to be elevated by the buckets 49 and emptied into the chute 67.

The enamel flows downward through the chute and empties from the mouth 68 onto the pipe between the upwardly extending portions of the fabric strip 80.

When the apparatus is in operation the clutch 56 is engaged with the clutch portion of the sprocket 54 so thatl the sprocket rotates with the shaft 44.

The sprocket 82 on the crank shaft 71 is operated by its chain belt connection with the sprocket 54 and rotation of the crank shaft causes oscillating movement 'of the enamel distributing strip 80. v

As the enamel iiows onto the pipe it covers the, upper surface thereof and the distributor strip intercepts the surplus enamel in its return flow to the receptacle, and in its oscillating movement around the bottom side of the pipe causes the enamel to be thoroughly distributed over the bottom surface of the p 'PIhe springs 78 are connected with the upper end of the distributor strip 80 so as to permit the strip to yield downwardly in passing pipe coupling or other iregularities in a pipe line.

What I claim and desire to secure to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with an elevated pipe supported from the ground in horizontal position, paint-applying apparatus `comprising a container supported from thev pipe for movement therealong, a conveyor including buckets supported from the pipe for transferring palnt from the container, and means supported from the container to receive paint from the conveyor for distribution to the Plpe- 2. In combination with an elevated pipe supported from the ground in horizontal pol sition, paint-applying apparatus comprising a container supported from the pipe for` movement therealong, an elevator supported from the pipe for lifting paint from the container, means for moving the elevator, and means supported from the container to receive paint from the elevator for distribution to the pipe.

3. In combination with an elevated pipe supported from the ground in horizontal position, paint-applying apparatus comprising a container supported from the pipe for movement therealong, an elevator supported from the frame for lifting `paint from the container, and a distributor supported from the container to receive paint from the elevator for distribution to theI pipe and having an adjustable bracing member engageable with the pipe.

4. In a pipe-painting machine, a vframe comprising parallel bars adapted to extend longitudinally of a pipe to be painted, a roller rotatably mounted in the frame and engageable with the pipe for supporting the frame from the pipe, means including a shaft for rotating the roller to move the frame along the pipe, a paint'container having lone end engaged with the frame, means including a bar and a pipe-engaging roller pivotally supported from the bar for supporting the other end of the container, and means including a wiping member supported from said bar for distributing paint from the container to the pipe.

5. In a pipe-painting -machine, a frame comprising parallel bars adapted to extend longitudinally of a pipe to be palnted, a roller rotatably mounted in the frame and engageable with the pipe for supporting the frame from the pipe, means includlng a shaft for rotating the roller to move the frame along the pipe, a paint container havmg one end engaged with the frame, means including a bar pivoted on the frame and a pipe-engaging roller pivotally supported from the `bar for supporting the other end of the container, means for fixing the bar in pivotally adjusted position, and means actuated from said shaft for distributing paint from the container to the pipe.

6.111 a pipe-painting machine, a frame comprising parallel bars adapted to extend longitudinally of a pipe to be painted, a roller rotatably mounted in the frame and engageable with the pipe for supporting the frame from the pipe, means including a shaft for rotating the rollcr to move the frame along the pipe, a paint container having one end engaged with the frame, means including a bar and a pipeecngaging Wheel pivotally supported from the bar for supporting the other end of the container, means for adjusting the relation of the pipe-engaging wheel to the pipe, an elevator supported from the frame including a conveyor movable into and out of the container, a clmte supported from said bar to receive paint from the conveyor for gravity discharge to a portion of the pipe, and means including a rotatable shaft supported by said bar and a flexible melnber movable by the shaft in wiping relation with the pipe for distributing paint discharged from the chute to another portion of the pipe.

7. In a pipe coating machine, a container, a pair of spaced frame members fixed to the container, an elevator supported by one of the frame members, distributing means supported by the other frame member, a pipe engaging roller mounted in fixed position in the first named frame member, a pivotally adjustable bar having one end pivotally mount-` ed on the other frame member and a pipe-engaging iroller rotatably supported by the other end' of said bar.

8. Inl a pipe 'coating machine including a container, and means including a frame for supporting the container on a pipe, an elevator including buckets supported by the frame for lifting material from the container, and means supported by the frame in receiving relation with the elevator for distributing material to the pipe.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

CLIFFORD F. MORAIN. 

